I must start by saying that my funds are pretty limited so I'm always looking for a cost effective way to catch bass. That being said...

Jigs just seem expensive $3.50 for a hook and some lead and small skirt and they are easy to lose. Does anyone else use the 3 or 5 for a $1 plain jigs without skirts and just add pork trailers or plastics to them?

Yup works too...although i rarely lose weedless jigs.I'm addicted to anything that'll move like a crawfish.Alot of times if you look hard enough you can find jigs @ $1 a piece knocked down from $3 a pop.IMO don't go crazy with colors.I like sticking with brown,green pumpkin and black/blue.Presentation is the key..make it imitate their food source.

I bought a ton of football head jigs in the bargain bin years ago(still have plenty), then bought some skirts seperate for them. They're not weedless but the hooks are thin enough to straiten using 14lb braid when you snag up. Rarely loose them and they catch fish like crazy.

Hey thanks on the tips. I do take advantage of those sales.

I've got one lake that if I fish the bottom it seems like I lose my lure no matter what it is. Weedless jigs, Texas riggen ( non exposed ) worms you name it. Plus orig I was thinking needing lots of colors in 2 or 3 sizes. With Grimlin's advice I'll keep it cut down to basics.

Start pouring your own.  You can make them for less than $.50 after the initial outlay for a mold.  

Kelley

Try rigging a skirted double tail grub on a plain jig head.  The skirt on the plastic is not exactly the same as the rubber skirt on a jig, but it's the same idea.  Several companies make em including GYCB/Kinami (which youy can get at wallyworld).  

Honestly, it depends on what you want. If you catch big bass quite often and don't like loosing them when you have them hooked, then I would not use cheap hooks, or even light wire hooks all the time. Think about it, what if you hook the biggest bass of your life and it comes off because the hook wasn't sharp enough or it straitened out? That would suck. If you are prepared for success, then you have a chance to be successful. But if you prepare to fail, well then...

you dont need to spend 3.50 per jig.  alot of those expensive jigs have alot of sales featurs on them.  Like eyes, titanium chunk holder, and other spiffy stuff that isnt needed.  

colors

black/blue

brown

green pumpkin

thats pretty much all you need

I like black, blue/black, pb&j, orange/brown, and watermelon.

If its just the head caught behind something and not the hook buried in timber, then a lure knocker will get it out.